Barnes & Noble Nook HD Tablet

The Nook HD comes in two sizes, a 7-inch and a 9-inch version. We tested the 7-inch option, and it's our top pick for a budget-oriented portable tablet. This device is often compared with the Kindle because of its unique layout and roots in the e-reader books market, but the Nook HD is a full-fledged tablet capable of almost anything you can do on other Android tablets, including web browsing and sending e-mail. Its soft-textured finish is easy to hold and the home button makes navigation simple. The Nook scored well for ease of use, but it lacks connectivity options, a camera, or powerful processing power. The system was more than responsive enough for most tasks, and the screen was on the sharper end of the spectrum, making text clear and easy to read.